Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Practice Test

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In magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), PC stands for what?

  1. Phase Contrast

  2. Pulse Contrast

  3. Parallel Contrast

  4. Positional Contrast

The correct answer is: Phase Contrast

In magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), "PC" indeed stands for Phase Contrast. This technique is utilized to generate images that depict blood flow within vessels by exploiting the differences in the phase of the MRI signal that are influenced by the motion of blood. In Phase Contrast MRA, the images are produced based on the velocity of flowing protons, which allows for the visualization of the direction and flow of blood. This is particularly useful in assessing vascular diseases or conditions affecting blood flow. By utilizing phase encoding paired with a specific gradient scheme, the technique highlights moving blood while effectively suppressing stationary tissues, leading to clearer vascular images. The other possible interpretations of "PC" do not align with standard terminology in MRA. While "Pulse Contrast" could imply a method related to pulse sequences, it does not correctly identify the mechanism used to assess blood flow. "Parallel Contrast" and "Positional Contrast" lack established usage in the context of MRA, which further emphasizes why Phase Contrast is the relevant term in this scenario.